Youth Camps
Adventures for the budding scientist in your life
Bell camps offer kids in a fun and enriching environment that encourages them to explore their scientific passions as well as new subjects. Led by pre-service and licensed educators, our camps include hands on activities, planetarium visits, outdoor games, creative activities, field trips around the University’s Twin Cities campus, and much more!
Even better, 2018 summer camps start before our grand opening, so campers will be among the first to tour our brand new museum!
June 11 - August 31, 2018
A variety of all NEW camps will be offered each week. Camps range from Kindergarten to grades 7-8, see details below. Campers should be registered according to the grade they will be entering in the 2018-2019 school year next fall.
For as little as $95 your household can become Bell Museum Members and receive discounted Summer Camp pricing—one of the many benefits of museum membership!
Full day camps: $350/week ($320 for Members)
Half day camps: $180/week ($160 for Members)
Scholarships
The museum is pleased to offer scholarships for one week of a full day camp for Minnesota residents eligible for free or reduced price lunch. Download and complete the form below to apply (one per child): 2018 Camp Scholarship Application
For more information about camps, email our camp staff at bellcamps@umn.edu.
Contact UM Tickets with registration questions at 612-624-2345 or umntix@umn.edu.
Kindergarten camps
Half day, week long camps for children entering Kindergarten in the 2018-19 school year. School grade categories are designed to ensure the best experience for all campers.
Little Scientists (½ day)
You’re never too young to be a scientist! This camp activates your preschooler’s inner scientist, and help them become better critical thinkers. Campers will make observations while exploring the museum and outdoor learning landscapes, using the same kinds of tools scientists use every day. Dabble in chemistry, conduct experiments and meet a U of M scientist.
June 11-15, 2018 (Morning)
July 16-20, 2018 (Afternoon)
August 13-17, 2018 (Morning)
Create, Tinker, Build (½ day)
Solve problems by building and inventing! Each day will involve time to tinker with materials and tools. Through exploration we will learn about cause and effect, what floats, what sinks, what is magnetic and what is not. Campers will build simple machines and learn how to use gravity to their advantage. We will also enjoy story time with fun science twists!
June 11-15, 2018 (Afternoon)
July 16-20, 2018 (Morning)
August 13-17, 2018 (Afternoon)
Register today!
Register online via the links below or by calling the UM Tickets office at 612-624-2345, Mon-Fri: 10am-5pm.
Save on every camp you purchase for your family! On top of camp savings, all Bell Museum members receive unlimited free admission to the galleries & special exhibits, exclusive discounts, members-only events and activities, and more!
Pricing options
You must be a current member or join during camp registration to receive member pricing. Memberships are non-refundable, and discounts cannot be applied to previous purchases.
General Registration: $180/week
Current Members: $160/week
New Members – Household Basic ($95 + camp)
**Note: Please call UM Tickets if you are registering multiple children or starting another membership.
Have the following information ready!
Camper name, birth date, age, special needs, medications and allergies.
Guardian name, address, phone number and payment information.
An additional emergency contact name and phone number.
Grade 1-2 camps
Full day, week long camps for children entering grades 1 & 2 in the 2018-19 school year. School grade categories are designed to ensure the best experience for all campers.
Farm Foodies
Find out where food comes from and what it takes to grow crops. Campers will hike through the University’s nearby agriculture fields with scientists to learn about their important research. We will also learn about nutrition at the Cornucopia Organic Gardens managed by U of M students, and tour the dairy barn and see research livestock.
June 11-15, 2018
July 23-27, 2018
August 27-31, 2018
Pond Life Explorers
Dip into the amazing pond ecosystem in the Bell’s learning landscape while searching for aquatic invertebrates, bird watching with binoculars, and listening carefully for frogs or toads. We will test water quality using scientific equipment, meet with a U of M pond researcher, and work on a poster campaign to support water conservation.
June 18-22, 2018
June 25-29, 2018
July 30-August 3, 2018 — FULL
Art in Nature
Our senses help us investigate nature’s many colors, textures, patterns, sounds, and scents. Campers will perfect the art of Japanese fish printing called Gyotaku. We will also make paper from scraps and natural objects. They will learn how to sketch like a scientist and use chemistry to make sun prints! At the end of the week, campers will host their own art show.
June 25-29, 2018 — FULL
August 6-10, 2018 — FULL
August 27-31, 2018 — FULL
Tiny Curators
Kids who love to visit museums or have special collections will love this camp! Campers enjoy an exclusive visit the Bell’s collections. They will also visit other collections at the University including insects, art, fashion, and rare plants from around the world. U of M curators will share why it is cool to collect, how items are cared for over time, and how collections help people make new discoveries. Campers will curate their own collections, make mini dioramas, and more.
July 16-20, 2018
August 13-17, 2018
Rot-o-Rama
There is a vast network of life happening right below your feet! Campers take a closer look at fungi, bacteria, and invertebrates living in the undergrowth that break down decaying material. We will learn about the decomposition cycle and visit the museum’s vermicomposting bin to learn more about the world of sow bugs, snails, slugs, beetles, worms, millipedes, and other microorganisms. Camp also includes a visit to the Mycology Club’s lab and mushroom garden, to make spore prints and study bacteria under a microscope.
June 11-15, 2018
July 9-13, 2018
August 20-24, 2018
Register today!
Register online via the links below or by calling the UM Tickets office at 612-624-2345, Mon-Fri: 10am-5pm.
Save on every camp you purchase for your family! On top of camp savings, all Bell Museum members receive unlimited free admission to the galleries & special exhibits, exclusive discounts, members-only events and activities, and more!
Pricing options
You must be a current member or join during camp registration to receive member pricing. Memberships are non-refundable, and discounts cannot be applied to previous purchases.
General Registration: $350/week
Current Members: $320/week
New Members – Household Basic ($95 + camp)
**Note: Please call UM Tickets if you are registering multiple children or starting another membership.
Have the following information ready!
Camper name, birth date, age, special needs, medications and allergies.
Guardian name, address, phone number and payment information.
An additional emergency contact name and phone number.
Grade 3-4 camps
Full day, week long camps for children entering grades 3 & 4 in the 2018-19 school year. School grade categories are designed to ensure the best experience for all campers.
Sustainability Squad
Ever wonder what happens to that milk jug after you throw it in the recycling bin? Or how you can use the sun and wind to generate electricity? In this camp, campers transform into environmental engineers and design their very own Green City! Along the way, they will learn about the human impact on the environment, innovative solutions scientists developing to reduce our carbon footprint, and how we can be more sustainable in our everyday lives. Camp also includes a tour of University’s Main Energy Plant and Recycling Facility to see sustainable design in action.
June 18-22, 2018
August 6-10, 2018
Prehistoric Creatures
Travel through time from the beginnings of Earth 4.5 Billion years ago to today. The journey starts outside where campers create a geologic time scale. Inside, campers travel through the Ice Age to see a woolly mammoth and other creatures, examining skulls, teeth, and fossils to discover the history of life on Earth. University researchers will visit to show off tools and techniques they use on field digs.
June 11-15, 2018
July 16-20, 2018
August 13-17, 2018
Potions & Magic
Explore natural phenomenons and the magic of science through extraordinary plant and animal adaptations, wonders in the night sky, the power of static electricity, and marvelous chemical reactions. From botany and mythology to zoology, chemistry, and astronomy–we’ll reveal the science behind potions, dragons, and more! There might even be time for a sporting game of quidditch.
July 9-13, 2018 — FULL
July 23-27, 2018 — FULL
August 6-10, 2018
Field Biology
Get outside and discover the plants and animals all around us and their relationship to the environment. Campers track and observe flora and fauna, building their skills with key field tools like binoculars, a compass, and a logbook. Learn how to identify plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects and share your findings with a U of M field biologist.
June 18-22, 2018
July 30-August 3, 2018
August 27-31, 2018 — FULL
Hive Minds
Catch the buzz on honey bees, pollination, and our food! Campers will study the Bell’s pollinator gardens, dissect flowers, observe our beehives with bee suits, extract honey, and make wax candles. Campers will also learn about native and non-native bees in Minnesota, and U of M research designed to keep bees happy and healthy. We will also play the Bell Museum’s PolliNation board game to learn how farmers across the country use bees to pollinate crops like apples, almonds, pumpkins, and more.
June 25-29, 2018
July 16-20, 2018
August 20-24, 2018
Register today!
Register online via the links below or by calling the UM Tickets office at 612-624-2345, Mon-Fri: 10am-5pm.
Save on every camp you purchase for your family! On top of camp savings, all Bell Museum members receive unlimited free admission to the galleries & special exhibits, exclusive discounts, members-only events and activities, and more!
Pricing options
You must be a current member or join during camp registration to receive member pricing. Memberships are non-refundable, and discounts cannot be applied to previous purchases.
General Registration: $350/week
Current Members: $320/week
New Members – Household Basic ($95 + camp)
**Note: Please call UM Tickets if you are registering multiple children or starting another membership.
Have the following information ready!
Camper name, birth date, age, special needs, medications and allergies.
Guardian name, address, phone number and payment information.
An additional emergency contact name and phone number.
Grade 5-6 camps
Full day, week long camps for children entering grades 5 & 6 in the 2018-19 school year. School grade categories are designed to ensure the best experience for all campers.
Chemistry: OMg!
Let’s get into the lab! Campers will spend a week exploring elements–like oxygen (O) and magnesium (Mg). We will conduct hands on experiments with acids and bases, different states of matter, and even make our own polymer slime. We’ll also learn how to safely perform chemistry “magic” that campers can share with friends and family. Campers will get to visit a U of M chemistry lab, visit with university researchers, and end each week with a bang!
June 25-29, 2018 — FULL
August 13-17, 2018 — FULL
Extreme Weather
What are the forces behind the Earth’s weather and how has climate changed our weather to become more extreme? We will use instruments, data, and maps to investigate weather patterns and make predictions. We will also learn about the causes of extreme weather like tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis, mudslides, and forest fires. Campers will also explore how how these events impact people and animals, and build and test structures designed to stand up to extreme weather.
July 9-13, 2018
August 20-24, 2018
Earth, Cosmos & Beyond
From space travel to black holes, investigate our place in the universe with telescopes, rockets and telescopes. Campers will discover what makes up “star stuff,” the power behind invisible light, and how to safely view our Sun with a telescope. We will also explore the challenges of space travel, how to build rockets, how we might discover life on other planets, and the oddities of the universe.
July 23-27, 2018
August 27-31, 2018
Science Super Sleuths
There is a mystery at the museum and campers need to crack the case using forensic science! Campers immerse themselves in the scientific methods of collecting evidence, fingerprinting, evaluating shoe imprints, DNA analysis, and more. We’ll also interview witnesses, analyze handwriting, evaluate body language, and studying crime scene photography for clues.
July 30-August 3, 2018 — FULL
Register today!
Register online via the links below or by calling the UM Tickets office at 612-624-2345, Mon-Fri: 10am-5pm.
Save on every camp you purchase for your family! On top of camp savings, all Bell Museum members receive unlimited free admission to the galleries & special exhibits, exclusive discounts, members-only events and activities, and more!
Pricing options
You must be a current member or join during camp registration to receive member pricing. Memberships are non-refundable, and discounts cannot be applied to previous purchases.
General Registration: $350/week
Current Members: $320/week
New Members – Household Basic ($95 + camp)
**Note: Please call UM Tickets if you are registering multiple children or starting another membership.
Have the following information ready!
Camper name, birth date, age, special needs, medications and allergies.
Guardian name, address, phone number and payment information.
An additional emergency contact name and phone number.
Grade 7-8 camps
Full and half day, week long camps for children entering grades 7 & 8 in the 2018-19 school year. School grade categories are designed to ensure the best experience for all campers.
Birds & Birds of Prey
Explore the exciting world of ornithology in this new camp presented by the Bell Museum and Raptor Center. Campers gain the skills to go birding throughout various habitats, spend time with The Raptor Center’s outstanding winged ambassadors (eagles, owls, falcons and more). and visit the museum’s collection of birds from all over the world. Campers will also meet experts in field research, raptor medicine, bird training and nature art. Be ready to view the world from a bird’s eye view!
June 18-22, 2018
July 30-August 3, 2018
Innovators: Engineering & Tech
Learn about nanotechnology, aerospace engineering, circuitry, different materials used in the latest technology. We will start thinking like engineers, by taking machines apart to analyze what’s inside. Campers will visit the University’s Makerspace and Machine Shop to 3D print pieces for rockets that they will design, build and test during camp. We will also make a visit to the Nanotechnology Center on campus to learn about engineering on the microscopic scale.
July 9-13, 2018 — FULL
July 23-27, 2018
Biomechanics & Biomimicry (½ day)
Can birds be the answer to faster trains? How do spiders lead to better robots? Discover the incredible ways plants and animals survive and thrive in nature, and how their exceptional adaptations continue to inspire human inventors. Campers will observe the museum’s live animal collection and other sources to identify different kinds of locomotion (from walking and running to jumping, soaring and gliding). We will also visit a U of M biomechanics lab and create a machine inspired by nature!
August 6-10, 2018 (AM)
August 20-24, 2018 (PM)
Brain Power (½ day)
How do brains work? Explore different parts of the brain, their function, and how these areas respond to different scenarios. Campers will visit a U of M neuroscientist, scan fruit with an MRI machine, and analyze scans to see how things like aging and sports injuries affect the brain. We will learn about other species brains, and match 3D printed brains with animals depicted in our famous dioramas.
August 6-10, 2018 (PM)
August 20-24, 2018 (AM)
Register today!
Register online via the links below or by calling the UM Tickets office at 612-624-2345, Mon-Fri: 10am-5pm.
Save on every camp you purchase for your family! On top of camp savings, all Bell Museum members receive unlimited free admission to the galleries & special exhibits, exclusive discounts, members-only events and activities, and more!
Pricing options
You must be a current member or join during camp registration to receive member pricing. Memberships are non-refundable, and discounts cannot be applied to previous purchases.
HALF day camps
General Registration: $180/week
Current Members: $160/week
New Members – Household Basic ($95 + camp)
**Note: Please call UM Tickets if you are registering multiple children or starting another membership.
FULL day camps
General Registration: $350/week
Current Members: $320/week
New Members – Household Basic ($95 + camp)
Have the following information ready!
Camper name, birth date, age, special needs, medications and allergies.
Guardian name, address, phone number and payment information.
An additional emergency contact name and phone number.
Frequently asked questions
How do I register multiple children?
You must complete one online order per child as we collect information that is specific to each child. If you are purchasing a new Bell membership and signing up multiple campers, please call 612-624-2345 to register and receive your member discount.
What time do I drop-off and pick up my campers?
Drop-off and Pick-up Times (Extended hours available for an additional fee)
All Day camps
8:00-8:30 am to 4:30-5:00 pm; (7:30-8:00 am — $15) / (5:00-5:30 pm — $15)
Half Day AM camps
8:00-8:30 am to 12:00-12:30 pm; (7:30-8:00 am — $15) / (12:30-1:00 pm — $15)
Half Day PM camps
12:30 pm-1:00 pm to 4:30 pm-5:00 pm; (12:00-12:30 pm — $15) / (5:00-5:30 pm — $15)
Can my child coming to a half day camp have lunch with the other campers?
Yes, so long as you pay for late pick up (for AM camps) or early drop-off (for PM camps). Note: Campers who stay all day (e.g. in both an AM and PM half day camp) will have lunch and play-time included in their schedule.
Can I register my child for a camp different than the listed grade range?
To ensure the best experience for all campers, your child should be registered with the grade level that they are entering in the 2018-2019 school year. Camp curriculum is customized for each grade level, with each group engaging in increasingly more difficult concepts and activities. Even if a child can keep up academically, many struggle socially when placed in a camp intended for a different grade level.
Do I need to sign my camper in and out every day?
Yes, unless your camper is over the age of 12 and ONLY if we have a written, signed, and dated parent/guardian permission form submitted to the camp office in advance. The museum’s responsibility for each camper begins after sign in and ends at sign out each day. We use the sign in and out process to maintain camper safety and ensure that they are picked up only by the adults (with photo ID) that are designated to pick them up.
Can I accompany my child to camp?
If your camper is new to the camp experience or you are curious about what our camps are like, you are welcome to stay with your camper until lunchtime on the first day of camp. Due to parking restrictions, curbside parking is not available. If you do choose to stay with your child for the first half of the first day of camps, parking is available in our parking lot for $4/ day.
What are your behavior expectations?
We strive to create an environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and inspires curiosity. Campers must be able to maintain appropriate language and actions, including keeping their hands to themselves, staying with the group, follow staff directions, and using respectful words to communicate their needs. A quiet space will be available to campers who need to take a break and calm down or recharge before returning to the group.
If my camper has a Personal Care Assistant (PCA) at their school should they have one at camp?
If your camper has a PCA at school and having one will help them follow rules and get more out of camp, please consider sending a PCA with them to camp. Unfortunately, we cannot provide PCA’s through our summer camp program. Let us know during the registration process if you plan to send a PCA with your camper.
Can I talk to the camp director about my camper’s needs before camp begins?
We greatly appreciate any information, suggestions or tips you would like to share with us. Filling out the registration form with as much detail as possible will give us the opportunity to prepare any special accommodations and give your camper the best experience possible. You are also welcome to email our summer camp team at bellcamps@umn.edu.
Will the museum be taking pictures of campers?
Museum staff will periodically take photos of the exciting camp activities and excursions as well as group photos to share with campers at the end of the week and possibly in future museum materials. During the registration process you will be asked to consent to a photo release for your camper. If you choose not to consent we will make sure that staff are aware that they cannot take any photos of your camper.
Are your staff First Aid/CPR Certified?
Yes, all of our staff are First Aid and CPR certified. Each camp leader carries a First Aid Kit with a breathing barrier for CPR.
